Maternal-fetal medicine specialist David B. Nelson, M.D., an advocate for women’s health care who has led numerous programs to improve access to care in underserved communities, has been named Chief of the Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine.

Dr. Nelson, Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, said he looks forward to the new position, which took effect Nov. 1.

“I am honored to work with the talented team in the Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine who are dedicated to providing high-quality patient care, training the next generation of health care providers, and advancing leading-edge concepts to improve the well-being of patients and their children in the future,” he said.

Dr. Nelson earned both his bachelor’s and medical degrees from the University of Arkansas. He then came to UT Southwestern to complete his residency in obstetrics and gynecology and a fellowship in maternal-fetal medicine before joining the faculty of the Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine in 2014.

In 2015, Dr. Nelson was appointed Medical Director for the Parkland Prenatal Clinic System of Women’s and Infants’ Services. In 2018, he was named Chief of Obstetrics at Parkland Memorial Hospital, which has one of the highest annual delivery rates in the country, at more than 12,000 per year.

Dr. Nelson has led programs to improve maternal health care, including the Extending Maternal Care after Pregnancy (eMCAP) program for expectant mothers with greater socioeconomic and health needs who live in southern Dallas County. The program, a collaborative team effort from UTSW and Parkland Health, recently received the Department of Health and Human Services Racial Equity in Postpartum Care Challenge award.

In 2019, Dr. Nelson provided testimony at a congressional subcommittee hearing on strategies to improve maternal health. The following year, he was chosen to serve on the Texas Perinatal Advisory Council. Additionally, he has published more than 95 peer-reviewed articles and was recently appointed Associate Editor of the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology.

Dr. Nelson, who received UT Southwestern’s Rising Star Award in 2018, has a passion for teaching; clinical service; and mentoring students, residents, and fellows to advance health care outcomes research, said Catherine Spong, M.D., Chair of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

In his new role, Dr. Nelson said he remains dedicated to improving access to care in underserved communities.

“I am excited for the opportunities ahead for our diverse, talented team to continue to advocate for health care equity and provide outstanding individual patient-centered care across North Texas,” he said.